Terry wrote: "I'd like to think that this was all
tongue-in-cheek (we'll abbreviate that TICIH--"tongue in cheek, I
hope"). ..."

It was not. Neither was it meant as a blanket indictment.

"To say what Gordon Brown said slightly differently, right-wing
politics must be separated from right-wing theology. Their overlap
sociologically shouldn't be interpreted to mean that right-wing
politics are part of right-wing philosophy."

If it walks like a duck, ... . Yes, some folks do separate it. But not the
leaders of the RR. I assume you would be as uncomfortable as I would be at
Bob Jones "University." Or at a "700 Club" TV show.

Maybe not.

The fact is that W embraced the RR in the 2000 campaign, and the Republican
party is darn glad (although a bit embarrassed) by their support.

"One that you may have left out that I think is more prominent in
conservative American evangelicalism (although not so much in more
Reformed expressions of it) is a view that tobacco, alcohol and other
recreational drug use even in moderation are forbidden by scripture."

That was one that had not occurred to me. I think it would be a good
addition to the list. Off line one LISTSERV member also suggested the line
"Thinks evolution is a scheme sponsored by Satan."

All the lines were "inspired" by a short essay in the magazine CHRISTIANITY
TODAY (9/9/02 page 7). It cites a study by Penning and Smidt (Calvin College
profs) and (apparently) a similar survey of CT readers which attempted to
measure how "traditional" people were. Younger people were measurably more
conservative than older ones. They also have a higher tolerance (funny term)
for doctrinal controversy, and want to know all sides of a discussion.

Coupling this essay with my recent reading of FOR A CHRISTIAN AMERICA I
began wondering what beliefs were being taught in traditional Xtianity. For
me, "traditional Xtianity" and "fundamentalism" are closely related; I
should have not combined them as I did, however, for doing so was
politically incoherent to many.

I am a member of the PCUSA, and I recognize that we admit much more
variance on doctrinal matters and moral issues than your denomination;
indeed, that's one reason you guys pulled out some years ago. What I am
interested in evolved into just what positions might be taught by
"traditional Xtianity" (which includes the PCUSA) as normative -- that is,
one would not be tossed out for having a different opinion on these subjects
but there would be a more-or-less denominational position on them. For
instance, I have taught in my home church, which is fairly conservative, SS
classes supporting variants of permissible partial birth abortion,
homosexual behavior, and other contraversial subjects. Not every one agreed
with some of my teachings; nobody (that I know of) was particularly upset at
them, as I was not upset when the pro-life position was subsequently taught
in a class. But I suspect that I would not be welcome at your church
discussing the same issues.

"Also, the groups that seem to be represented by your list would also
tend to advocate dispensationalism and premillenial eschatology (the
rapture, 7 year tribulation, the importance of modern day Israel in
God's plan, etc.)--again, not part of my theology."

Hmm. Not holding that these subjects have much credibility, I did not think
of them.

"I'd also suggest that you include as parts of your list the
affirmations of the Apostles' and Nicene Creed, i.e basic Trinitarian
theology, the vicarious, substitutionary, and propitiatory atonement,
the necessity of the new birth, the abrogation of Old Testament civil
and ceremonial laws, the necessity of Holy living and good works, the
work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification and spiritual gifting (not
necessarily with the charismatic flares), the importance of prayer,
the practice of the Lord's Supper and baptism, the importance of the
church (some kind of fellowship of believers), the importance of
worship (praise, prayer, preaching, etc.), the reality and
universality of sin (probably more if I took more time to think about
it)."

5 All lost people will suffer endless punishment*******
Yes
No. Such a teaching is incoherent and makes God out to be a bully.

6 Homosexual acts are always sinful.***********
Yes
Often sinful, or even "usually sinful" I will agree with. But in cases where
the two people are in a long term loving adult same-gender relationship, and
I know several couples, both male & female of this kind, I do not see it as
sin, and I quite firmly assert that scripture does not condemn it.

I have been reading a book, COUNSELLING LESBIAN COUPLES, by Joretta
Marshall, which begins to unfold more the possible ways of viewing this. In
between the "It is unnatural and evil" and "it is natural and we ought to
celebrate it" positions are three intermediate positions -- I seem to be
somewhere in there.

7 Abortion at any stage of pregnancy and for any reason is always murder***
Yes
I must say "no" in cases of rape, incest, and serious threats to the health
of the pregnant one. Otherwise, I agree. That does not mean I favor the
overthrow of Roe v Wade; I do not.

8 Only males should be ordained as ministers, elders, bishops or deacons.
ministers,elders, bishops--yes, deacons--no
In the early church, women were ordained as priests, bishops, etc. When the
church became a political force, it picked up the patriarchial society of
Rome and for the next 1800 years women were considered 2nd class citizens. I
raised four girls to challenge that position; I am happy to report that all
have done so quite well. I raised four boys to support them in this -- well
-- three out of four ain't bad. As I have mentioned, my wife of 44 years is
now only eight months away from the MDiv degree and has the goal of becoming
a PCUSA minister of Word & Sacament. In the PCUSA we have no 2nd class
citizens.

9 Jesus second coming will happen***********
yes
yes

10 Believers will be resurrected with new bodies********
yes
yes

11 Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation********
yes
yes

12 It is not sinful to be a Democrat, but it is close to it.*******
TICIH
Obviously, I do not hold to this. But many do.

13 It is always sinful to have a female lead in a worship service*******
no
no

14 Republicans follow God more closely than Democrats*******
TICIH
Same answer as above

15 Salvation means the attainment of heaven after death***
Yes (among other things)
I agree. The word itself comes from a Greek word "wholeness"

16 There are only two possibilities after death, eternal bliss or
endless punishment*****
yes
No

17 Jesus Christ is both human and divine********
yes
yes

18 Government welfare is not fair to those who have been sober and
thrifty*********
TICIH
Same answer as the last TICIH. Maybe I see this crap more out here in
Colorado, a very "redneck" state, than you do.

19 Jesus had a physical body after his resurrection**********
yes
I'm not sure. probably. But I think it was quite different than our physical
body.

20 Satan is a real entity********
yes
almost certainly not.

21 Jesus does not approve of gun control laws********
TICIH
See previous

22 Jesus does approve of the government mandating public school
prayers*****
TICIH
See previous answers. I see this, too, all the time.